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bluegarden 's review for:
The Last Man
by Mary Shelley
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Took me nearly 6 months to finish, but this book is a masterpiece. Not as good as Frankenstein, but still amazing. Shelley is a marvelous writer.
Though before you read it, note that it does not fit the description. The writing is meandering yet thoughtful and poignant like the rest of her work. There are extensive descriptions of the characters that are based on people Shelley knew in her life (what the book is until about volume 3). It is much more a fictionalized diary than a science fiction novel. You get well-acquainted with the friends she grieved for, leaving her "the last man." Read up on the context first, it doesn't make much sense if you don't. (You don't have to because of spoilers, but they don't really bother me so I read the entire Wikipedia page about 30% through and it was very helpful)
There is so much to analyze about this book, but it was still enjoyable as a casual reader and left me thinking and devastated. I can't rate it anything less than a 5 star.
Though before you read it, note that it does not fit the description. The writing is meandering yet thoughtful and poignant like the rest of her work. There are extensive descriptions of the characters that are based on people Shelley knew in her life (what the book is until about volume 3). It is much more a fictionalized diary than a science fiction novel. You get well-acquainted with the friends she grieved for, leaving her "the last man." Read up on the context first, it doesn't make much sense if you don't. (You don't have to because of spoilers, but they don't really bother me so I read the entire Wikipedia page about 30% through and it was very helpful)
There is so much to analyze about this book, but it was still enjoyable as a casual reader and left me thinking and devastated. I can't rate it anything less than a 5 star.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Terminal illness, Grief, War, Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Violence, Murder
Minor: Suicidal thoughts